UConn routs Louisville 93-60 to win eighth national title

Connecticut players celebrate after defeating Louisville 93-60 in the national championship game of the women's Final Four of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Tuesday, April 9, 2013, in New Orleans.Dave Martin/AP Photo

New Orleans — To think it was but a month ago when what felt like unfathomable losses to Notre Dame left the UConn women staring at the progressive deterioration of possibilities for this season.

Could they win close games anymore?

Had coach Geno Auriemma lost his fastball?

And then came Tuesday night at New Orleans Arena when the UConn women authored a rout, erasing any doubt.

The Huskies disposed of Big East rival Louisville, 93-60, winning the program's eighth national championship.

"It wasn't easy. They were able to conquer some things that are hard to conquer," Auriemma said.

Freshman Breanna Stewart, who dazzled the crowd with an array of three-point shots and one-armed rebounds, became the first freshman (and third in the history of the game) to be named the Most Outstanding Player at the Final Four since Tonya Edwards (1987, Tennessee).

Stewart, who scored a career-high 29 points during UConn's 83-65 semifinal win over Notre Dame, backed that up with a game-high 23 points and nine rebounds against Louisville.

She was joined in double figures by Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, who made five 3-pointers and finished with 18 points, senior Kelly Faris (14), Bria Hartley(13) and Stefanie Dolson (12).

Senior Heather Buck, a graduate of Stonington High School, was part of her third national championship team at UConn. Buck became part of an elite list of 14 players in women's basketball history to play on three national championship teams.

Connecticut forward Breanna Stewart, (30), tries to hang on to the ball against Louisville guard Shoni Schimmel, (23), and Louisville forward Sara Hammond, (00), during first half of the national championship game of the women's Final Four of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Tuesday, April 9, 2013, in New Orleans.Dave Martin/AP Photo

Connecticut forward Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, (23), and Connecticut guard Kelly Faris, (34), reach for a loose ball during first half of the national championship game against Louisville at the women's Final Four of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Tuesday, April 9, 2013, in New Orleans.Gerald Herbert/AP Photo

Breanna Stewart, left, (30), of UConn, battles Shoni Schimmel, (23), of Louisville in the first half of the NCAA Division 1 Women's Basketball Championship at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, La., Tuesday, April 9, 2013.Tim Martin/The Day

Morgan Tuck, left, and Antonita Slaughter, right, tussle for a loose ball in the first half of the NCAA Division 1 Women's Basketball Championship at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, La., Tuesday, April 9, 2013.Tim Martin/The Day